Finally I've sorted a month-long trip to the US this summer and flights are booked to San Francisco (mid Aug - mid Sept) Looking to sample some of the best rock routes in California and could do with help coming up with a 'must-do' ticklist. Mostly looking for free climbs to do in a day rather than multi-day big walling or aiding. I'm assuming most stuff in Yosemite will be too hot even towards the end of the trip? Plus I don't think my partner is too bothered about big wall faff. Although the Regular NW face of half dome has been suggested as a possibility to do in a day? Also, routes on the list not to bother with equally welcome.So far I've got on the list:THE HULK (Probably only do a couple of routes up there - which one(s) to do?)Sunspot DihedralPositive VibrationsRed DihedralVenturi Effect
TUOLOMNEFairview Dome - Regular Route & Lucky Streaks Lucky Streaks was good funThird Pillar of Dana - Regular Route Good funDaff Dome - Bombs over Tokyo (P1), Blown Away, Crescent ArchMedlicott Dome - Ciebola, Bachar-Yerian, PeacePhobos-Deimos Cliff - Blues Riff, GoldfingerPuppy Dome - Do or FlyEllery Bowl - Speed of LifeWhizz Domes - HandbookDrug Dome - OZEast Cottage Dome - Orange Plasma, Comfortably Numb, Knobnoxious, Knobulator Fun crag - knobbing all day long"
THE NEEDLESThin IceAtlantisDon Juan WallSpook BookAiry Interlude/Igor UnchainedSciroccoRomantic Warrior/Sea of TranquilityFancy Free
YOSEMITEHalf Dome Regular NW FaceAny more suggestions of must-do routes / crags to visit?
The only thing we felt this last trip about going to Yosemite was how much of a circus it is. I'm not sure it's worth it for a day or two as you don't have time to get tuned in.
Given you're likely to see no one at the Needles or High Sierras, I would avoid the inevitable culture shock of the Valley.
Given you're likely to see no one at the Needles or High Sierras, I would avoid the inevitable culture shock of the Valley. For free climbing The Needles is better anyway imo.
The Needles is far and away the best crag I've been to in the U.S.
Ok thanks. If we get lost and have an epic I'll know who to blame